Early Childhood Education

Competent and ambitious experts for the field of early childhood education

Are you interested in early childhood education and pedagogy for children under the age of seven? Do you plan to work in a multicultural and multilingual environment? Or perhaps you would like to study in English in order to be more internationally-oriented in the fast-changing society.

Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Early Childhood Education offers you the qualifications to work as a early childhood education and care teacher and pre-primary education teacher. The programme includes basic and intermediate studies in education and also offers students the opportunity to enrol in other courses available at the Tampere higher education community. Students may also make an exchange period abroad a part of the studies.

Students graduating from the programme are experts on matters related to childhood, such as growth, development, and learning. They also understand the importance of responsiveness and interaction in education and teaching and are able to use scientific knowledge in their work.

With such a skill set, the graduates are professionals who will be able to develop and change the world of education in their work environment. Students will be well prepared to meet the constant demands of society and find jobs as early childhood education and care teachers, pre-primary education teachers, directors of day care centres or in educational development tasks.

Extent of studies

City

Campus

Tuition fee for non-EU/EEA citizens

Link to scholarship programme

Study objectives

will understand their ethical responsibility as educators and the significance of interaction and dialogue in the field of education and teaching

are capable of acquiring and critically analyzing the research-based knowledge related to their own field

are familiar with the basics of humanistic research and the essential methods related to it and are capable of conducting and reporting a research process

have form an understanding of their professional identity and are capable of applying knowledge in working life and in international context

can express themselves both in written form and orally in required languages

have sufficient competencies to proceed their studies at the master’s degree level

The Bachelor of Education (early childhood education) degree which includes early childhood education and care teacher and pre-primary education teacher qualification gives qualification for various posts in the field of education, teaching and childcare in early childhood education.

Study contents

In the Faculty of Education and Culture the students educate themselves to understand the world widely and to serve actively as education professionals.

The students of early childhood education have the right to complete the Bachelor of Education degree. The Degree programme in Educational Studies comprises Bachelor's programme and Master's studies in education and social research.

In bachelor level studies the student will acquaint themselves with the current research topics in education and with the principles of theory formation in education and teaching. Early childhood education studies consist of subject specific contents essential to early childhood education and pedagogy. The education is based on extensive educational expertise. The bachelor’s degree consists of both joint studies for all students and specialized and optional studies, including studies from different faculties.

Tuition fees

The tuition fee of the programme is 10 000 euros per academic year for non-EU/EEA students with a scholarship system for fee-paying students. For more information, please see Tuition Fees and Scholarships.

Structure of studies

Bachelor´s Programme in Educational Studies 180 ECTS

General studies in Bachelor's Programme in Educational Studies

Basic Studies in Education 25 ECTS

Intermediate Studies in Education 50 ECTS

Preparatory Studies in Professional Early Childhood and Preprimary Education 60 ECTS

Optional Studies

Career opportunities

The Faculty of Education and Culture has close cooperation with various work life organizations. In the studies of early childhood education supervised work-based practice periods are a central part of the studies. These periods offer the students a real work life learning environment and the possibility for versatile development projects. The working life cooperation in early childhood education is based on a wide network of day care centres. The research based developmental projects in day care centres are carried out by the students and staff together in cooperation.

The graduates find placements as early childhood education and care teachers and pre-primary education teachers, directors of daycare centers or development tasks in the field.

The possibilities of employment are good in the field of education.

Qualification

The Bachelor of Education (early childhood education) degree which includes early childhood education and care teacher and pre-primary education teacher qualification gives qualification for various posts in the field of education, teaching and childcare in early childhood education in Finland.

Internationalisation

Internationalisation is an essential part of studies in the field of education and teaching. The significance of multicultural competence will grow in the future. It is recommended that the students will have some international education element in their studies, an exchange period in a foreign university or if possible, an international teacher training or internship period. According to the internationalisation programme of the university, it is possible to incorporate an internationalisation module into the degree. The module can be constructed from special studies completed in various faculties.

The curricula guide of the Faculty of Education and Culture includes courses taught in English both for the degree and exchange students of the faculty.

Co-operation with other parties

In addition to studies in one’s own degree programme, students may take full advantage of the teaching offered by the Tampere higher education community ranging from technical to vocational studies in various fields.

Postgraduate study opportunities

A person who has completed the Bachelor of Education degree with the specialization in early childhood education can proceed with his/her studies on the Master’s degree level.

Carefully read through the general eligibility criteria and the programme-specific eligibility criteria and see whether you meet them. For additional questions on applying, application documents and application process, please contact our Admissions office. For questions regarding the content of the programme, please contact Ms. Sari Hyttinen, sari.hyttinen@uta.fi.

Click to see the admission criteria

Korkeakoulujen yhteishaku kevät 2019

Yhteishaun hakuaika I 9.1.-23.1.2019 klo 15.00

Eligibility criteria

Eligible applicants hold an upper secondary education certificate - the Finnish matriculation examination, the International Baccalaureate, the European Baccalaureate, Reifeprüfung/Die Deutsche Internationale Abiturprüfung or any other comparable upper secondary educational qualification which provides eligibility to University-level Bachelor’s studies in the country in question.

Applicants who are in the final semester of their upper secondary education are also eligible to apply.

Please note that unfortunately not all eligible applicants can be admitted.

Language skill requirements

You must submit evidence on a good command of English for academic purposes. There are two ways of indicating English language proficiency: language tests and previous studies.

English language tests

The minimum English language test result requirements for Bachelor's programmes:

IELTS Academic

TOEFL

PTE Academic

CAE/CPE

6,0

iBT: 78

paper-based: 550

54

C1 Advanced/CAE: C
C2 Proficiency/CPE: Level C1

Please note that the language test score must be valid until 30 January 2019. Language test results are valid for two years.

We advise all 2019 applicants needing an international language test score to book for a test date well in advance, as test dates are filling up fast in the autumn and it may take several weeks for the test result to reach Tampere University.

How to submit the language test result

You must upload your language test results on the online application at Studyinfo.fi by 30 January 2019. Tampere University verifies all language test results online.

Please make sure that you register for the language test well in advance. There might not be test dates available or they may be fully booked. To find out more about the test dates and test centres, please visit the test organisers' websites.

IELTS
If you have taken the IELTS (Academic) please give your TRF number on the application form. Please upload the IELTS certificate for the application.

TOEFL
Because Tampere University of Technology and University of Tampere will merge during the admission period 2019, we will use the current institutional codes of both organisations. TOEFL language tests can be reported either to Tampere University of Technology (institutional code 0599), or University of Tampere (institutional code 9871). Please make sure to use either one of the institutional reporting codes. The new Tampere University does not have its own code during the admission period. Tampere University verifies the TOEFL results in the online verification system provided by ETS. The scores can be accessed in approximately 1-2 weeks after the delivery order has been made.

PTE Academic
Because Tampere University of Technology and University of Tampere will merge during the admission period 2019, both organisations are currently listed as score recipients on the PTE webpage. The language tests can currently be reported either to Tampere University of Technology or University of Tampere. Applicants who take the PTE Academic test can deliver their score once they have signed into the PTE account on the test organiser's website. The scores can be sent to an unlimited number of institutions free of charge. The test organiser will send an email to confirm that the scores have been sent. According to the test organiser, it takes up to 48 hours for scores to be sent to institutions.

CAE or CPE
If the CAE or CPE exam was taken after 2005, the results can be verified electronically. For the verification, the candidate's ID number (e.g. ABC123456) and secret number (e.g. 1234) are required. Please give these two codes on your application form and upload a copy of your language certificate for your application. Older test results cannot be verified electronically.

The following previous studies exempt you from submitting a language test score. Please note that you may fit into several of the categories. Please choose the one you feel is most appropriate.

1. You have completed your secondary education in English in Finland or other EU/EEA country, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States. You must have resided in the country while studying.

2. You have completed a degree taught in English at an institution of higher education in Finland or other EU/EEA country, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States. You must have resided in the country while studying.

3. You have the following minimum grades obtained in the Finnish matriculation examination, European Baccalaureate, International Baccalaureate or Reifeprüfung/Die Deutsche Internationale Abiturprüfung:

Finnish matriculation examination: English at the advanced level with a minimum grade of M.

A completed International Baccalaureate, if the examination has been completed in English. If the examination has been completed in a language other than English, the following grades are acceptable:
English as the A1 language with an approved grade (a minimum grade of 2) or
English as the A2 language with a minimum grade of 5 or
English as A language (literature/language and literature/language and performance) with an approved grade (a minimum grade of 2) or
English as B language with a minimum grade of 5.
European Baccalaureate: English as the LI language with an approved grade (a minimum grade of 4) or English as the LII language with a minimum grade of 7.

Reifeprüfung/Die Deutsche Internationale Abiturprüfung: English as the A language, an approved written test (a minimum grade of 4) or English as the A language, an approved oral test with a minimum grade of 8.

Please note that in addition to assessing your previous studies in terms of eligibility, we assess them also to determine the level of your English skills based on the grades. If you feel your grades do not give the right impression of your English skills, we strongly recommend that you take a language test to indicate your proficiency.

I‌ntake

A maximum of 20 students are admitted to the programme.

The Bachelor´s Programme in Educational Studies (Early Childhood Education) qualifies you to work as an early childhood education teacher and pre-primary education teacher in Finland. You have now an opportunity to accomplish the degree in English.

This intake option is not included in VAKAVA, the National Selection Cooperation Network in the Field of Education.

Admission procedure

The selection process comprises two stages. Stage one is an assessment of the application documents, whereby those applicants to be invited to the entrance examination are chosen. Stage two is an entrance examination, which includes a written exam and an aptitude test, both in English, on the basis of which the final selection is made. A maximum 20 students will be selected to the programme.

In connection with the application, you will need to upload a free-form motivation letter including the applicant´s full name and date of birth online at Studyinfo.fi. The motivation letter shall be 2-3 pages long (font size 12, line spacing 1.5).

The motivation letter may include, for example, the following themes:

Introduction of the applicant (degrees and studies, current professional activity, special academic and professional interest)

Reasons for applying to the programme

International interests and/or experience

Career plans after graduation.

The evaluation of the motivation letter will be based on clarity and depth of argumentation. The motivation letter is scored from 0 to 10. To be eligible for selection to the programme the applicant must gain at least 4 points for the motivation letter.

Invitation to the Entrance Examination

Sixty (60) applicants are invited to the entrance examination on the basis of the motivation letter. If two or more applicants score the same number of points, they will all be invited.

A list of those invited to the entrance examination will be put up on the noticeboard of the Faculty on May 14th, 2019 at the latest. All applicants will also be notified by Email. The applicants shall observe the instructions and deadlines given in the invitation. All applicants shall attend the entrance examination at Tampere University.

Final Admission

The final admission to the programme will take place on the basis of the scores of both the written exam and the aptitude test.

If either of these two parts of entrance examination is not completed by an applicant, he/she cannot be admitted to the programme.

If two or more applicants score the same number of points, their order shall be determined on the basis of the following criteria: 1. aptitude test, 2. written exam, and 3. points earned from the motivation letter (uploaded on the application form in stage one).

Scoring

The applicant may reach a maximum 40 points on the basis of the following partial scores:

Written exam 0-20
Aptitude test 0-20
Total 0-40

To be selected to the programme the applicant must gain at least 8 points of the written exam and 10 points of the aptitude test. The assessment of the written exam covers both the content and the mastery of English, shown by the applicant. The assessment of the aptitude test is based on the following criteria: shown motivation in the field of early childhood education, interaction skills, creative problem solving and self-reflection.

Entrance exam

The entrance examination includes the following parts: 1) written exam and 2) aptitude test. The written exam will be held on June 4, 2019. The aptitude test will be held between June 4 and 5, 2019.

There are no compulsory pre-reading materials for the written exam.

The purpose of the written exam is to get an understanding of the applicant´s capability to analyse and articulate the themes and entities discussed in the materials. The answer will be written in English.

The aptitude test will include applicants working in groups, potentially using supplementary material provided by the test supervisors. The language of the aptitude test is English.

Special arrangements for entrance exam

An applicant may submit a separate application to request the right to special arrangements for taking an entrance examination.

The application should indicate the types of special arrangements being requested and the grounds for the request. The applicant should enclose copies of the certificates to which he or she makes appeal.

In cases where a possible issue already exists during the application period, requests for special arrangements for entrance examinations must be submitted to the Admissions Office no later than 3 pm on 30 January 2019.

If an issue entitling an applicant to special arrangements emerges or is identified between the end of the application period and the entrance examination date, the applicant must submit a request for special arrangements to Tampere University without delay. Tampere University must make a decision on such request if the applicant is eligible to apply and if he or she is able to attend the entrance examination.

All non-Finnish applicants are required to submit a copy of their passport's identification (ID) page. EU/EEA/Switzerland citizens may submit a copy of their identity card. Tampere University can verify Finnish citizenship from a database, so applicants who have Finnish citizenship do not have to send a copy of their passport or identity card.

In addition, a copy of the residence permit is required from applicants who are non-EU/EEA residents but do have a residence permit in Finland. The copies are used to determine whether you are subject to paying tuition fees or not. These can be regular copies, authenticated copies are not required.

Detailed instructions on how to submit your educational documents

If you wish to apply on the basis of your upper secondary education excluding IB, EB or RP/DIA degree, you must submit the following application enclosures on your studies:

1. Certified copy of the certificate of upper secondary education and its official translation
2. Certified copy of the transcript of records (listing the courses completed during upper secondary education) and its official translation

Applicants who have taken the Finnish Matriculation Examination do not need to submit any educational documents to Tampere University, as the grades in the matriculation examination will be transferred to Tampere University electronically.

All other applicants in this category will need to upload the documents above for the application form at Studyinfo.fi. In addition to uploading the application documents on the application, you must submit the officially certified copies of your educational documents (enclosures 1-2) to Tampere University Admissions Office by post by 30 January 2019.

The copies of the secondary school leaving certificate, transcript of records and their translations must be certified by the institution that issued the original document (with an institutional stamp on the documents), the Finnish Embassy/Consulate in your home country or a notary public.

If the original document is not in Finnish, Swedish or English, it needs to be translated into one of the above mentioned languages either by the authority that issued the original document or by an official translator and authenticated.

Applicants who wish to apply during their last semester of upper secondary education have to submit a document issued by their school that indicates the qualification that the applicant is about to complete and the expected date of graduation.

If you wish to apply on the basis of your IB, EB or RP/DIA degree, you must submit the following application enclosures on your studies:

1. Authenciated copy of the IB, EB or RP/DIA Diploma

You will need to upload these documents for your application form at Studyinfo.fi. In addition to uploading the application documents on the application, you must submit the officially certified copies of your educational documents (enclosure 1) to Tampere University Admissions Office by post by 30 January 2019.

The copies of the secondary school leaving certificate, transcript of records and their translations must be certified by the institution that issued the original document (with an institutional stamp on the documents), the Finnish Embassy/Consulate in your home country or a notary public.

If the original document is not in Finnish, Swedish or English, it needs to be translated into one of the above mentioned languages either by the authority that issued the original document or by an official translator and authenticated.

Applicants who wish to apply during their last semester of IB, EB or RP/DIA education are required to submit a Predicted Grades document to Tampere University Admissions Office by 10 April 2019 by email (admissions.tau@tuni.fi). Please note that a copy of the final diploma must reach Tampere University Admissions Office by 12 July 2019.

Waiting list procedure

If an accepted student cancels his/her study place, the applicant who is next on the reserve list will be selected instead provided that the yearly intake has not been exceeded. There is only a limited number of applicants on the reserve list.

In case there are not enough applicants who fulfill the selection criteria, the vacant study places may be transferred to another intake option in the joint application system in early childhood education, taking into account the quota reserved for applicants applying for their first university study place in Finland.

Admission results and appeals

Admissions results will be announced by 28 June 2019. All applicants will be informed about the admission results.

Please see the University´s general instructions concerning rectification procedure.

Students admitted to a higher education institution in 2012 or later may be requested to provide a criminal records extract for the assessment of their ability to study. The extract will be requested before the beginning of the practical training or other activity. To ensure the safety of the minors, it is necessary to ascertain that the student has no criminal record of certain serious crimes.